Page 279 - the-odyssey

ning Eumaeus got back to Ulysses and his son, who had just
sacrificed a young pig of a year old and were helping one
another to get supper ready; Minerva therefore came up to
Ulysses, turned him into an old man with a stroke of her
wand, and clad him in his old clothes again, for fear that the
swineherd might recognise him and not keep the secret, but
go and tell Penelope.
Telemachus was the first to speak. ‘So you have got back,
Eumaeus,’ said he. ‘What is the news of the town? Have the
suitors returned, or are they still waiting over yonder, to
take me on my way home?’
‘I did not think of asking about that,’ replied Eumaeus,
‘when I was in the town. I thought I would give my message
and come back as soon as I could. I met a man sent by those
who had gone with you to Pylos, and he was the first to tell
the news to your mother, but I can say what I saw with my
own eyes; I had just got on to the crest of the hill of Mercury
above the town when I saw a ship coming into harbour with
a number of men in her. They had many shields and spears,
and I thought it was the suitors, but I cannot be sure.’
On hearing this Telemachus smiled to his father, but so
that Eumaeus could not see him.
Then, when they had finished their work and the meal
was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share so
that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to
eat and drink, they laid down to rest and enjoyed the boon
of sleep.

The Odyssey